Written by a team of leading international specialists, Behavioral Ecology of Insect Parasitoids examines the optimal behaviors that parasitoids exhibit in order to maximize long term offspring production. It is an essential reference for research scientists and students studying these fascinating insects or for anyone involved in using parasitoids in biological control programs.
Reviews topical issues, including cutting edge research on parasitoid decision making and the implications for biological control
Explores applications in other fields, provides information on the latest research methods, and includes helpful case studies and statistical tools
Creates a deeper understanding of the link between behavioural strategies and host mortality, resulting in more efficient selective pest management programs
“Overall, this is a fascinating volume that provides a significant contribution to the literature on parasitoid insects. It goes a long way toward providing insights into numerous aspects of parasitoid behavior and will stimulate a diversity of future projects, something that should be the goal of any such text. I highly recommend Wajnberg et al. for all of those working on the biology or evolution of parasitoids.” Palaios 2009
Contributors. Preface. Part I: Current Issues in Behavioural Ecology of Insect Parasitoids:. 1. Optimal Foraging Behaviour and Efficient Biological Control Methods: Nick J. Mills (University of California) and Éric Wajnberg (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique). 2. Parasitoid Fitness: From a Simple Idea to an Intricate Concept: Minus van Baalen (Université Pierre et Marie Curie) and Lia Hemerik (Wageningen University). 3. Parasitoid Foraging and Oviposition Behaviour in the Field: George E. Heimpel (University of Minnesota) and Jérôme Casas (University of Tours). 4. Behaviour Influences Whether Intra-guild Predation Disrupts Herbivore Suppression by Parasitoids: William E. Snyder (Washington State University) and Anthony R. Ives (University of Wisconsin – Madison). 5. Chemical and Behavioural Ecology in Insect Parasitoids: How to Behave Optimally in a Complex Odourous Environment?: Monika Hilker (Freie Universität Berlin) and Jeremy McNeil (University of Western Ontario). 6. Parasitoid and Host Nutritional Physiology in Behavioural Ecology: Michael R. Strand (University of Georgia) and Jérôme Casas (University of Tours). 7. Food-searching in Parasitoids: the Dilemma of Choosing Between ‘Immediate’ or Future Fitness Gains: Carlos Bernstein (Université de Lyon) and Mark Jervis (Cardiff University). 8. Information Acquisition, Information Processing, and Patch Time Allocation in Insect Parasitoids: Jacques J.M. van Alphen (Leiden University) and Carlos Bernstein (Université de Lyon). 9. Competition and Asymmetric Wars of Attrition in Insect Parasitoids: Patsy Haccou (Leiden University) and Jacques J.M. van Alphen (Leiden University). 10. Risk Assessment and Host Exploitation Strategies in Insect Parasitoids: Luc-Alain Giraldeau (Université du Québec à Montréal) and Guy Boivin (Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada). Part II: Extension of Behavioural Ecology of Insect Parasitoids to Other Fields:. 11. Multitrophic Interactions and Parasitoid Behavioural Ecology: Louise E. M. Vet (Netherlands Institute of Ecology) and H. Charles J. Godfray (University of Oxford). 12. Parasitoid Sex Ratios and Biological Control: Paul J. Ode (North Dakota State University) and Ian C.W. Hardy (University of Nottingham). 13. Linking Foraging and Dynamics: Michael B. Bonsall (University of Oxford) and Carlos Bernstein (Université de Lyon). 14. Linking Behavioural Ecology to the Study of Host Resistance and Parasitoid Counter-resistance: Alex R. Kraaijeveld (University of Southampton) and H. Charles J. Godfray (University of Oxford). Part III: Methodological Issues in Behavioural Ecology:. 15. State-dependent Problems for Parasitoids: Case Studies and Solutions: Bernard Roitberg (Simon Fraser University) and Pierre Bernhard (Polytech’Nice Sophia Antipolis). 16. A Bayesian Approach to Optimal Foraging in Parasitoids: Jean-Sébastien Pierre (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique) and Richard F. Green (University of Minnesota Duluth). 17. Finding Optimal Behaviours with Genetic Algorithms: Thomas S. Hoffmeister (University of Bremen) and Éric Wajnberg (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique). 18. Statistical Tools for Analyzing Data on Behavioural Ecology of Insect Parasitoids: Éric Wajnberg (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique) and Patsy Haccou (Leiden University). Index
Éric Wajnberg is a research scientist on Behavioral Ecology at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Sophia Antipolis, France. He is a population biologist specializing in population genetics, behavioral ecology, and statistical modeling. He is also an expert in biological control, with more than 20 years experience of working with insect parasitoids. Carlos Bernstein is a research scientist on Behavioral Ecology at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Villeurbanne, France. He is a parasitoid behavioral ecologist whose main center of interest is to enquire how individual behavior translates into population processes. He leads a multidisciplinary research group that combines theoretical research and mathematical modeling with field and laboratory experimentation. Jacques van Alphen is a professor of Animal Ecology at the University of Leiden, The Netherlands. He is an expert in the behavioral ecology and life-history evolution of parasitoids. His current research is conducted on four host-parasitoid systems at the University of Leiden.
Reviews for Behavioral Ecology of Insect Parasitoids: From Theoretical Approaches to Field Applications
This is a fascinating volume that provides a significant contribution to the literature on parasitoid insects. It goes a long way towards providing insights into numerous aspects of parasitoid behavior and will stimulate a diversity of future projects, something that should be the goal of any such text. I highly recommend Wajnberg et al. for all of those working on the biology or evolution of parasitoids. (PALAIOS, March 2, 2009) ?The book has an attractive cover, useful figures (mostly graphs) and tables, and an index that includes subject matter and taxonomic names.? (Ecology, January 2009) [The book] will become indispensable both for students in basic research and workers in biological control ? and will certainly promote further progress in the field. (European Journal of Entomology, 2008) ?Hopefully will engender support for young investigators to embark on field investigations to bolster the discipline. Editor Wajnberg and colleagues have compiled papers from expert international authors that provide an insightful theoretical context for designing, conducting, and evaluating needed field studies for informed decision making in biological control. Recommended.? (Choice Reviews, October 2008) The editors should be congratulated ? [this book] should provide excellent value to most academic entomologists. ( British Journal of Entomology and Natural History)
